Tampa, Florida – In a devastating case of child exploitation, a Canadian national has been sentenced to life in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material and enticement of a minor. Paul Creighton, 67, of Ontario, Canada, entered a guilty plea on August 19, 2024, and was subsequently sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington.
According to the plea agreement and evidence presented at sentencing, Creighton coerced and enticed minor children throughout the United States, including Florida, Virginia, Georgia, and California, to create images and videos of themselves performing sexual acts between 2012 and 2017. One such victim, a 14-year-old girl living in Osceola County, was coerced by Creighton via social media applications. In April 2017, the victim confided in a friend about the relationship she engaged in with Creighton, which ultimately led to Creighton’s downfall.
Creighton advised the victim on what to say to her parents, to reset her phone, reformat her hard drive, and delete messages between them. He later threatened the victim, telling her he would share her images and videos if the victim did not continue to speak to him. In October 2017, FBI agents seized various electronic devices from Creighton, which revealed photographs of the minor victim, online searches for the victim and their family, as well as numerous searches for other minor children throughout the United States.
On or about October 24, 2017, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police in coordination with the FBI, executed a Canadian search warrant at Creighton’s residence in Ontario. In his home, agents recovered hundreds of images of minor children, including images of child sexual abuse of the minor victims. Creighton was indicted in 2018 and was taken into custody by Canadian authorities on November 12, 2020. On February 8, 2024, Creighton was extradited to the United States, and has been in custody since that date.
“The life sentence will guarantee no other child falls victim to this man’s horrific abuse,” said FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor. “Our special agents and analysts work these tough investigations with compassion and commitment to ensure justice is served and the innocent are protected from predators.”
This investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tampa Field Office. Significant assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service and the Niagara Regional Police. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Creighton to the United States. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
Creighton’s life sentence is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to bring this perpetrator to justice. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of child exploitation and the importance of continued vigilance in protecting our children from predators like Creighton.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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